VA awards $3M BPA call for temporary medical tech services to GHOST RX INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,994,060 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Ghost RX Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-03-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 548 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 20 MED TECH BPA

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98108

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.0 million to GHOST RX INC. for work described as: VISN 20 MED TECH BPA Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in essential medical technology support. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. Contract duration extends over a year, indicating a need for sustained support. 5. Geographic focus on Washington state suggests regional operational requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3 million for a 548-day period is within a reasonable range for temporary medical technology staffing. Benchmarking against similar Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for specialized medical support services indicates that the pricing structure, being firm-fixed-price, offers good value by capping potential cost overruns. The number of bids received (3) suggests competitive pricing was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with three bids received. This level of competition is generally positive, indicating that multiple vendors were aware of and capable of fulfilling the requirement. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the government likely received competitive offers, leading to a fair market price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging vendors to offer their best value propositions.

Public Impact

Veterans in VISN 20 will benefit from continued access to essential medical technology services. The contract ensures the availability of temporary help services for medical technology needs. Services are primarily focused within Washington state, supporting regional VA facilities. The contract supports the operational needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs' medical technology infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if GHOST RX INC. becomes indispensable for future needs.
Reliance on temporary staff may introduce variability in service quality or institutional knowledge.
Contract duration could be extended, increasing overall spending beyond initial estimates.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition indicates a healthy market and potential for cost savings.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the VA.
The award to a single vendor streamlines management and delivery of services.

Sector Analysis

The Temporary Help Services sector (NAICS 561320) is a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This contract falls within the government's ongoing need for specialized support services, particularly in healthcare settings where skilled personnel are essential for maintaining operations. The government frequently utilizes BPAs and call orders to procure such services efficiently, often competing them to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to GHOST RX INC. (a single entity) does not provide immediate insight into its size category or its utilization of small business subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this BPA call likely resides within the Department of Veterans Affairs' VISN 20 network, responsible for managing medical technology services. Accountability is maintained through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

VISN 20 Medical Technology Support Contracts
VA Temporary Staffing Agreements
Federal Healthcare Staffing Services
Medical Equipment Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption due to reliance on temporary staff.
Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and compliance.
Limited insight into small business subcontracting utilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.0 million to GHOST RX INC.. VISN 20 MED TECH BPA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GHOST RX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for VISN 20 Medical Technology BPA calls with GHOST RX INC. or similar vendors?

Analyzing historical spending for VISN 20 Medical Technology BPA calls requires access to detailed contract databases beyond the provided summary. However, general trends in federal healthcare IT and staffing indicate consistent demand for temporary services to supplement permanent staff, manage specialized equipment, and respond to fluctuating patient loads. Spending often increases during periods of technological upgrades or when specific expertise is temporarily scarce. Without specific historical data for GHOST RX INC. or comparable contracts within VISN 20, it's difficult to provide precise spending patterns. However, the current award of approximately $3 million over 18 months suggests a significant, but not unprecedented, level of investment for specialized medical technology support.

How does the per-unit cost of temporary medical technologists under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost details (e.g., hourly rates for technologists), making a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts challenging. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call with a total value of $3,004,060.40 for a duration of 548 days. To assess per-unit cost, one would need to know the number of hours or specific services procured. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with three bidders suggests that the pricing achieved is likely competitive within the federal acquisition landscape for temporary medical technology services. Without more granular data on the services rendered and the labor categories involved, a precise benchmark is not feasible.

What is the track record of GHOST RX INC. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

GHOST RX INC. has a track record of receiving federal contracts, as evidenced by this award. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to review past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any instances of disputes or terminations. Federal agencies, including the VA, typically conduct pre-award responsibility determinations and review past performance before awarding significant contracts. The award of this BPA call suggests that GHOST RX INC. met the VA's requirements for capability and past performance. However, without specific details on their prior contract history, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and performance quality.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on temporary help services for critical medical technology functions?

Relying on temporary help services for critical medical technology functions carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of inconsistent service quality and a lack of deep institutional knowledge, as temporary staff may not be as familiar with specific VA protocols, equipment, or long-term maintenance plans. Secondly, continuity of care and operations can be disrupted if temporary staff turnover is high or if there are delays in replacing personnel. Thirdly, security and data privacy could be a concern if onboarding and vetting processes for temporary staff are not as rigorous as for permanent employees. Finally, effective management and supervision are crucial to ensure that temporary staff perform adequately and integrate smoothly with existing teams, which can add an administrative burden.

How does this contract align with the VA's broader strategy for managing its medical technology infrastructure and workforce?

This contract aligns with the VA's strategy to ensure the effective operation and maintenance of its medical technology infrastructure by providing flexible staffing solutions. The VA often utilizes temporary support to bridge gaps in specialized expertise, manage peak workloads, or during transitions in technology or permanent staffing. By leveraging BPA calls, the VA can efficiently procure these services, often on a firm-fixed-price basis, to maintain operational readiness without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. This approach allows the VA to adapt to changing needs and technological advancements while ensuring that veterans receive timely and effective care supported by functioning medical equipment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11480 RIVOLLI CT, RENO, NV, 89521

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,994,060

Exercised Options: $2,994,060

Current Obligation: $2,994,060

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26021A0034

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline